The Wangara community once again celebrated the Kurubi Festival in Kintampo, Bono East Region this past week.  The events opened on 22nd November and came to a close with a grand durbar on Saturday 27th November.  The program was well attended and this year’s theme for the festival was ‘Promoting Domestic Tourism and Fostering National Cohesion Through Festival’.  

The vision of promoting domestic tourism aligned with the domestic tourism campaign that was launched earlier this year.  Digniataries in attendance included; Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku-Mantey, Presidential Coordinator for Zongo and Inner City Development, Hon. Ben Abdallah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon Samuel Abu Jinapor ,  Former Minister for Energy/MP for Yapei-Kosorgu, Hon. John Abu John Abu Jinapor, Savanna Regional Minister Hon. Saeed Muhazu Jibril, CEO Ghana Tourism Authority, Akwasi Agyeman, DCE for Kintampo South, Hon Opoku Nyame, Regional Director, Ghana Tourism Authority, Joseph Appiah-Agyei, Municipal Coordinating Director, Kintampo, Thaddeus Zaasan, M.P. Kintampo North, Hon Joseph Kwame Kumah, NPP Consituency Chairman, Mr. Abulakari Saddique, NDC Constituency Chairman Mohammed Alhassan and Kintampo Divisional Commander, ACP Francis Enor.

The Kurubi Festival is rooted in the culture and religious traditions of the Wangara people.  It was celebrated in Kintampo, which is known as being the centre of Ghana for trade between the northern and southern parts of the country. They use the festival as a way to give thanks to God and to also remember their ancestors who migrated there.

It’s official, the Double Decker City Tour Coach will be operating for the general public starting this week. The tours are a collaboration of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA) to create tours of the city of Accra using the double decker bus to experience Accra in a new way. The tours are another initiative to promote regional and domestic tourism similar to the ongoing See Ghana, Eat Ghana, Wear Ghana, Feel Ghana, Stay Home Discover Ghana, and Snap and Win Campaigns that are promoting tourism through culture and creative arts.

The Accra City Tour will showcase Accra to Ghanaians and international travellers through historical and cultural sites and iconic buildings an places. The tours will subsequently be extended to other Regional capitals across the country over the course of time.

The bus will depart daily from the Accra Tourist Information Centre with two available time slots; 9am-11am and 1pm-3pm. Fees to board the tours will be GH¢ 60.00 for adults, GH¢ 30.00 for SHS/Tertiary students, and GH¢ 20.00 for Basic students. For those interested in hiring the entire bus for two hours to use on the approved routes, the fee is GH¢ 3000.00 and should be done by contacting GTA.

For more information on bookings please contact the following numbers: +233 307 007 100, +233 596 617 976, or +233 243 146 864.

By: Ivy Prosper

President Nana Akufo-Addo, has officially launched the Domestic and Regional Tourism Campaign designed to stimulate the tourism industry. Under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the Ghana Tourism Authority, the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) and other tourism industry players, the official launch event took place on 1st June 2021 at Labadi Beach Hotel.

It was a full house as industry stakeholders were in attendance to inaugurate a campaign that will shift the tourism industry’s focus towards encouraging travel in Ghana and regional countries. In a speech read on his behalf, the President said, “Global tourism suffered its worst year on record in 2020, with international arrivals dropping by some 74% according to the latest data from the World Tourism Organization.” This is significant because Ghana’s tourism industry has historically benefitted from international travellers and with the impact of the global pandemic, the industry has experienced a serious decline. The President is confident that the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Ghana Tourism Authority will achieve the targets of improving tourism through this new campaign. “The domestic tourism program…targets increasing arrivals to 600,000 by 2022 and to one million by 2024.” as said in the president’s speech. “Whiles the West African regional target aims at increasing arrivals from 180,000 presently to 400,000 by 2024.”

The aim for this new campaign is to stimulate the economy as we travel within our own borders and to our neighboring ECOWAS countries. The campaign theme is #ExperienceGhana #ShareGhana. Travel industry stakeholders will be offering discounted packages on tours, accommodations, and transportation to encourage the public to take advantage and explore Ghana. The 18-month long campaign will also include contests open to the public that will offer exciting prize packages.

As part of the campaign, the ‘Travel Share and Win Contest’ was outdoors. In this contest, people traveling anywhere in Ghana can share their photos and videos on social media using the hashtag ExperienceGhanaShareGhana #SeeEatWearGhana #TravelShareWin for a chance to win prizes. There is also the Write and Win contest where people are expected to write about their experiences and favorite places for a chance to win prizes. Other activities taking place during the 18-month long domestic tourism campaign include PANAFEST/Emancipation, Taste of Ghana (Gastronomy Fair), Meet in Ghana Travel Show and DecemberInGH.

A brand-new double-decker bus was unveiled with plans to use it for city tours to boost tourism within the city. The first trip outdooring the bus travelled through La, Osu and made its final stop at Independence Square. Some of Ghana’s popular artists were there to also lend their support in promoting Ghana’s new tourism campaign. Okyeame Kwame, Samini, Stonebwoy, MzVee, and Luxy OkpoYen were among those who attended. Okyeame Kwame put on a performance that paid homage to Ghana as he always does through his music and fashion. He dressed in clothing that paid homage to the Northern Region saying, “I am usually dressed to represent Ashanti Region, but today I am showcasing the North.”

The new campaign will create awareness, boost domestic tourism, and help to revive culture of travel among Ghanaians. Follow Ghana Tourism Authority on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on events, contests and upcoming activities.

#EXPERIENCEGHANA #SHAREGHANA.

By: Ivy Prosper